Description
The course is held at the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart between the 01.07. and 26.07 and combines lectures, labs and field work.
Topics that will be covered in the lectures and practical sessions include:
– Evolution of insects
– Basic phylogeny of the Pterygota
– Phylogeny of the Hemimetabola & Holometabola
– Integrative taxonomy
– Integrative phylogenetics
– Cladistic analysis
– Scientific presentation and writing
– Fossil History
– Advanced research techniques including MicroCT scanning and 3D Visualization, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
The practical part of the course will include:
– Identification exercises: Aquatic insects, Paraneoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Lepidoptera
– Methodology of collecting insects, including field trip to Tübingen (Spitzberg, Goldersbachtal)
– Important preparation techniques for the collection, such as dry preparation, genital preparation, wet preparation, as well as critical point drying or chemical drying
– Documentation of collection material via photography (AutoMontage, Keyence) and digital drawing
– Histology
– Tour through the amber collection, visit to the amber grinding laboratory
The course is part of the curriculum at the University of Hohenheim and will be held with a group of students.
Program
During the first week, the focus is on learning scientific collection and preparation techniques. In the course room (Schloss Rosenstein) of the SMNS, a separate workstation is set up for each student, which can be used for preparation and identification work at any time during the course by agreement and under supervision. Lectures are held on site from the second week in the morning (9:00 to approx. 11:00).
Day 1 Collecting at the property of the Stuttgart Entomological Society
Field Trip from 10:00 am
Day 2 Collecting at the property of the Stuttgart Entomological Society
Field Trip from 10:00 am
Day 3 SMNS classroom and seminar room
Pre-sorting of the collected material; scientific wet and dry preparation
Day 4 SMNS classroom and seminar room
Pre-sorting of the collected material; scientific wet and dry preparation
Day 5 SMNS classroom and seminar room
Pre-sorting of the collected material; scientific wet and dry preparation
Day 6 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution of insects, Anatomy of Insects and basal Pterygota (to be determined)
Day 7 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution: Polyneoptera (to be determined)
Day 8 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution with a focus on Plecoptera and Paraneoptera (Tobias Frenzel)
Day 9 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution of Diptera (Daniel Whitmore)
Day 10 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution of Holometabola & Hymenoptera I (Lars Krogmann)
Day 11 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution of Hymenoptera II (Lars Krogmann)
Day 12 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution of Coleoptera (Arnaud Faille)
Day 13 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution of Coleoptera (Arnaud Faille)
Day 14 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution of Lepidoptera (Hossein Rajaei)
Day 15 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution of Hymenoptera III (Michael Orr)
Day 16 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution of Condylognatha (Thysanoptera + Hemiptera, Tobias Frenzel)
Day 17 Introduction to the phylogenetic systematics and evolution of Trichoptera (to be determined)
Day 18 Preparation for the exam
Day 19 Preparation for the exam
Day 20 Preparation for the exam and exam day
Exam (Day 20)
Trainers
Prof. Dr. Lars Krogmann, Scientific Director, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, Professor of Systematic Biology at University of Hohenheim;
Dr. Hossein Rajaei, Head of Entomology Department & Curator of Lepidoptera, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart;
Dr. Daniel Whitmore, Curator of Diptera, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart;
Dr. Arnaud Faille, Curator of Coleoptera, State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart;
Dr. Michael Haas, Research Associate (Hymenoptera), State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart
Dates of Training period – Duration
The announcement concerns one (1) training course, between 01.07. and 26.07.2024
Location
State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, Germany
Course’s language
English / German
Target audience
Students, MSc students, PhD students
The course is part of the curriculum at the Masters level but PhD candidates that will also benefit are invited to participate.
Fee
No participation fee. The Museum can offer housing for free for up to 2 students but travel costs will need to be covered by the candidates.
Registration deadline
1 June 2024
Mode of trainees’ assessment
For passing the class, students must pass an oral exam and have a curated collection including specimens from at least 50 different insect families as a result of the practical part of the course.
Participant quota (min and max number of trainees)
One (1) trainee minimum, 2 maximum (together with 10 local students)
Types of training/ Implementation method
- Theoretical modules/Face to Face
- Lab work/Face to Face
- Fieldwork/Face to Face
Training Course learning outcomes
Participants will gather a good basic knowledge on entomology, integrative taxonomy and phylogeny as well as the techniques for the study of insects and how to apply them in their own research. Candidates will thus have the ability to get started on their own projects in entomology.
Certifications provided
- Certificate of Attendance by CETAF DEST with ECVET Units (European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training)
- Certificate by CETAF DEST according to Europass Certificate Supplement (certifying analytically the knowledge, skills and competences gained)
- University of Hohenheim attendance certificate
What trainees need to bring
Laptop, Field gear: Hiking boots, sun, rain and mosquito protection, food, magnifying glass, spring steel tweezers and Material: Dissecting kit, A4 drawing paper unlined, HB pencil, notebook.
Mode of trainees’ selection
Motivational letter. Please send a 2-page motivational letter on why you want to attend the course along with your CV.
Registration
For registration send an email to museum@smns-bw.de
More details: If you have any further inquiries on the administration of the course, please contact museum@smns-bw.de